window, but rest assured that the Sunset Harbor Inn will be ready when the time comes.”
They might require a Christmas miracle to make that happen, but Callie had pulled off miracles before. Not of this size, but there was always a way.
Will nearly collapsed under the weight of the breath she exhaled. “Ms. Henderson—”
“Call me Callie.”
“That really is a pretty name,” Will said, taking her by surprise. “I don’t mean to question your ability to do your job, but this hotel . . .” The words trailed off as Will glanced around the room.
“Yes, this hotel,” Callie said, leaning forward to set her elbows on the desk. “As I said, there is much to be done, but I’ve tackled similar projects in the past. With a thorough plan in place, it’ll all come together. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Henri didn’t call her Pollyanna for nothing. Whatever it was going to take to whip this hotel into shape, Callie would do it with a smile on her face and a positive attitude.
Will slowly relaxed into her chair, one muscle at a time. The tapping ebbed as a smile spread across her narrow face. “Sam assured me of the same thing, but I could tell he was speaking from ego. Few men can resist a challenge, but they rarely consider the reality of the situation.”
Callie couldn’t argue with that, but she also needed to back up her boss. “Mr. Edwards knows what he’s doing. He once turned an all-but-condemned old factory into a premier hotel in the heart of Charleston—something everyone said he’d never pull off.”
The wiry brunette sat up straight. “You knew Sam before he came to Anchor?”
Why did she have to be so damned honest? Not that she’d intended to lie to people, but Callie also wasn’t prepared to explain how she and Sam were connected. “It was a long time ago,” she said, rising from her chair.
“So he’s from Charleston?” Will asked, blue eyes bright with interest.
“That area, yes.” Strolling around the desk, Callie struggled to remain polite while giving a clear indication that their meeting was over. “I really do need to get back to this proposal if I’m going to have it done by Friday. The sooner we have a plan in place, the sooner we can start the work.”
“Yes,” Will said, gathering her bag from the floor beside her chair. “Of course.” Upon reaching the door, the taller woman turned. “I really don’t mean to be nosy. I’m not big on talking about my past, either. But Sam is the only person on this island that no one knows anything about. I guess I’ve been here long enough to have caught the curiosity bug of the natives.”
“I’m afraid any details about Mr. Edwards’s past will have to come from him,” Callie said, offering a smile to lessen the edge of her words. “I really am looking forward to working with you. Weddings are my favorite events to hold, and I can’t wait to see the inaugural event here at the Sunset Harbor Inn.”
Will returned the smile and offered her business card. “If you’re interested in getting to know the island, give me a call. I have some friends I’d like you to meet.”
The words sounded sincere, and Callie appreciated the chance to make a few friends on Anchor, even if her stay was temporary.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
CHAPTER 7
S am entered the Anchor Inn at eight thirty Friday morning to find Callie sitting in the lobby, reviewing some paperwork in her lap. He appreciated punctuality in his employees, but a half hour early seemed a bit extreme.
As did the reaction of his body upon seeing her.
“Is there a reason you’re here so early?” Sam asked, the words harsher than necessary.
She glanced up, her mouth forming an O in surprise. Then she flashed a tentative smile, as if maybe she’d felt a similar jolt to her system upon seeing him. An idiotic imagining on his part.
“My mother is an early riser.”
She didn’t elaborate, indicating this statement should be an adequate
They might require a Christmas miracle to make that happen, but Callie had pulled off miracles before. Not of this size, but there was always a way.
Will nearly collapsed under the weight of the breath she exhaled. “Ms. Henderson—”
“Call me Callie.”
“That really is a pretty name,” Will said, taking her by surprise. “I don’t mean to question your ability to do your job, but this hotel . . .” The words trailed off as Will glanced around the room.
“Yes, this hotel,” Callie said, leaning forward to set her elbows on the desk. “As I said, there is much to be done, but I’ve tackled similar projects in the past. With a thorough plan in place, it’ll all come together. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Henri didn’t call her Pollyanna for nothing. Whatever it was going to take to whip this hotel into shape, Callie would do it with a smile on her face and a positive attitude.
Will slowly relaxed into her chair, one muscle at a time. The tapping ebbed as a smile spread across her narrow face. “Sam assured me of the same thing, but I could tell he was speaking from ego. Few men can resist a challenge, but they rarely consider the reality of the situation.”
Callie couldn’t argue with that, but she also needed to back up her boss. “Mr. Edwards knows what he’s doing. He once turned an all-but-condemned old factory into a premier hotel in the heart of Charleston—something everyone said he’d never pull off.”
The wiry brunette sat up straight. “You knew Sam before he came to Anchor?”
Why did she have to be so damned honest? Not that she’d intended to lie to people, but Callie also wasn’t prepared to explain how she and Sam were connected. “It was a long time ago,” she said, rising from her chair.
“So he’s from Charleston?” Will asked, blue eyes bright with interest.
“That area, yes.” Strolling around the desk, Callie struggled to remain polite while giving a clear indication that their meeting was over. “I really do need to get back to this proposal if I’m going to have it done by Friday. The sooner we have a plan in place, the sooner we can start the work.”
“Yes,” Will said, gathering her bag from the floor beside her chair. “Of course.” Upon reaching the door, the taller woman turned. “I really don’t mean to be nosy. I’m not big on talking about my past, either. But Sam is the only person on this island that no one knows anything about. I guess I’ve been here long enough to have caught the curiosity bug of the natives.”
“I’m afraid any details about Mr. Edwards’s past will have to come from him,” Callie said, offering a smile to lessen the edge of her words. “I really am looking forward to working with you. Weddings are my favorite events to hold, and I can’t wait to see the inaugural event here at the Sunset Harbor Inn.”
Will returned the smile and offered her business card. “If you’re interested in getting to know the island, give me a call. I have some friends I’d like you to meet.”
The words sounded sincere, and Callie appreciated the chance to make a few friends on Anchor, even if her stay was temporary.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
CHAPTER 7
S am entered the Anchor Inn at eight thirty Friday morning to find Callie sitting in the lobby, reviewing some paperwork in her lap. He appreciated punctuality in his employees, but a half hour early seemed a bit extreme.
As did the reaction of his body upon seeing her.
“Is there a reason you’re here so early?” Sam asked, the words harsher than necessary.
She glanced up, her mouth forming an O in surprise. Then she flashed a tentative smile, as if maybe she’d felt a similar jolt to her system upon seeing him. An idiotic imagining on his part.
“My mother is an early riser.”
She didn’t elaborate, indicating this statement should be an adequate
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